Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-11-19

tenance had a peculiar glitter. to-
tally unlike the aShineSS of Enoel'S
heavy features. and in strange con.
traSt with the dead lack of color III
the pinched lineamentS of Parsons.
The once iaunty. vivacions Texan
came laSt-a withered old man. fle
had aged twenty years since the
day and hour, scarcely twelve
months before, when he trippel'
lightly into the court before Judge
Gary and flippantly declared that
he was ready to be tried at once
for his life.
ON THE scAFFoLD.
The moment his feet touched the
scaffold Parsons seemed to com
pletely lose his identity and TO feel
that his spirit was no longer part
of his body. He had wrought him
self to an ecStacy of solemn self
Qualification. Only he-the onlv
American-seemed TO realize to
the full that he must die in a
manner to impress, if possible. on
all future generations the thought
that he was a martyr. No TRACE
dian that has paced a stage in
America ever made a more mar
velous presentation Of selt-chosen
part, perfect in every detail. The
upward turn of his eyes, his dis
tant, far away look, and above all
the attitude of apparent complete
resignation, that every fold of the
awkward shroudS only served to
make more distinct, was Ivy far the
most striking feature of the entire
gallowS picture. The squat form Of
Engel alongside, with stupid, wide
iawed face, made hiieous con-
trast to Parsons assumption Of the
role of a martvr Fischer. was head
and shoulders taller than the other
three, making his occasional looks
of too evident bravado more no
ticeable in contrast with the steady
GOODNESS of Spies. The latter's ex
hibirion of quiet, thorough nerve
far surpassed the demeanor OF any
of his comrades. The four burlv
Deputies, standing to the rear of
the four condemned men, began
without delay TO adjust the ropes.
Sniec, noose hejur the first ono
placed. He did not appear to re.
gard it as of any more consequence
than a new linen collar. The knot
was slipped down the cord close
against his neck. Spies did not
show tremor. but when the same
process was being CARED out with
Fischer he turned and quietly Wills.
rered to the baliff some suggestion
concerning the rope. Fscher's
ardor was noticcably lessened when
he felt the rope, and Engel bit his
under lip bard whenhi turn came.
just then DR.. Murphy, a young
physician, standing back Of Engel,
whisperingly cracked q joke at
EngeI'S ear. Incredible as it may
seem, the low proved anarchist
laughed outright with he rope
around his neck and while another
was being fastened on Parsons by
his side. But ihc grotesque laugh
stopped in SINGLE instant, and
Parsons, meekly as "A saint.c"st his
eyes upward at the dangling line
above him. Before the four anarch
lists had an inklng eli what was TO
he done the white caps were deity
slipped upon their headsand drawn
quickly down 10 the neCks.
THEIR LAST WORDS.
August Spies was The first OF the
four doomed men to make use OF
bis wits. In a tone,of intense bit
terness he WHO wrote the infamous
revenge circular, hissed out between
his tightly clenched teeth, ''There
will come a time when our silence
will be more powerful than the
voices they are strangling to
DEATH"
The last syllable of Spies con
Guiding words, hoarSe with sup
pressed passion, had not reached
an end when Engel, raising his
voice, wildly cried, "Hurrah for
anarchy"
Fischer caught the fire of the ut
terance, and still more loudly OK.
claimed, "Hurrah tor anarchy add
ding, "This the happiest moment
Of my life"
There was a silence like the grave
broken abruptly by tile slow, meas
ured intonation Of Parsons. Not
as a dying request, but rather like
a command Of warning, he sounded
forth, ''May l be allowed to speak2"
Then, with slow cntreaty, came,
will you let me speak, Sheriff
MalsonW There was another ago
nizing pause. Mutllcd through the
STROUD broke ont in unnatural, Ilol
low accents, .'Lct the Voice of tile
people be heard"
THE DROP FALLS.
A crash as oil Il falling house